The Walton Elementary School student, 4-year-old Nadia Slocum, got off a school bus at Mayes Street and Redmond Avenue and was hit by another bus as she crossed the intersection, authorities said.

Amanda Perry, who was outside when the incident happened, said she heard children on both buses screaming.

“The bigger bus went around the other bus and that’s when he hit the child,” Perry said. “When he hit her, he ripped her foot off her body. It was horrible. It was horrific.”

The driver got off the bus to make sure the child was OK, Perry said, and tied something around her leg.

The girl suffered injuries to her foot and was taken by ambulance to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson police said. Officials say she was in serious condition and in surgery Friday evening.

A spokesperson with Jackson Public School District said officials would not take action with either bus driver until they finish an investigation.

The district released a statement saying it is saddened by the accident and hopes the student makes a speedy recovery.